The phrase “viral marketing” has worked its way into our everyday vocabulary, sometimes losing its true meaning in the process (as tends to happen sometimes when words settle into everyday vocabulary). Seth Godin makes an excellent distinction: “viral marketing” is not only not the same thing as “word of mouth,” but in a critical way, it’s quite the opposite: while typical word of mouth is a decaying signal, true viral marketing is a compounding (i.e., self-amplifying) one.

Network marketers, take note: in that distinction lies the success or failure of your business.

You can read his post here.